Gary Kubiak on the Super Bowl; Mario Williams on the NFL draft

Recently, the NFL.com had an interview with Texans coach Gary Kubiak talking about the Texans realistic goals for the season. You can watch the brief interview here:

I like his answer. There are so many things that go into winning a Super Bowl. Good play combined with good luck combined with staying healthy enough. Once you get into the playoffs, then it’s a new season.

The Texans over the last couple of years have become good at winning at home. They have had some tough wins on the road (Green Bay) but also some awful losses (Oakland).

To get to the playoffs, they need to stay healthy and fix their defense. Reducing turnovers would be good too, but I think that is going to happen with another year in the offense, and the offense not playing from behind and trusting the defense to make a stop. I felt that sometimes the offense seemed to think they needed to press because they knew their defense couldn’t keep points off the board.

It is always easier to execute your offense at home, and a better defense can keep a game close and get a team through the set backs that inevitably happen on the road. None of this is particularly a surprise to any of you, but it is worth remembering when you are thinking of how the Texans can become a playoff team…and perhaps beyond. They need to keep winning at home and then win on the road–getting into the playoffs seems so hard after seeing everything this team has been through.

Bonus parts of the video: Kubiak talking about how much he wants Houston to experience playoff football again, and also video of the Mario Williams ragdoll of RB Jamal Lewis of the Browns.

• • •

Speaking of Williams, the Texans on their website put of some great video of an interview that former GM Charley Casserly did with him last year. They both talk about the experiences that led up to the 2006 draft.

If you can’t watch video, the Texans were kind enough to put together a transcript of the interview. You can read it in three parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

He talks about the injury problems he had his first year, and how valuable his teammates were in helping him play through that. This is my favorite part:

Charley Casserly: “Alright, let’s go later in the season. Denver game, Denver Broncos. National television. Fourth quarter. I’m watching the game at home. I watched the first quarter from a restaurant; I was home for the fourth quarter. And you get your last sack of the night. You’ve got 3.5 sacks. The crowd – I’m getting choked up – the crowd starts chanting, “Mario! Mario! Mario!” how do you feel then?”

Mario Williams: “It was just… it was just… goose bumps all over. It’s just one of those things where it’s like you get choked up on the field; you’ve got something in your throat that you just can’t swallow. There’s so much excitement that it just really takes over. It’s like you’re flying, almost. Seriously, it sounds funny, but I’ve never had anything like that. I mean, I’ve had situations in college where people were chanting things or whatever, but to do it on an NFL level against coach (Gary) Kubiak’s (former) team and then be on primetime TV, it was just unbelievable. That had to be the most excitement I’ve ever had in my life. It was unbelievable.”

As someone who was there that night, I have to say it was a terrific moment for everybody. There’s just so many people in an NFL stadium that when things are going right, it is the loudest, most energetic thing in the world. (And yet another reason why good defensive play is fun–you get to be loud when your team is on defense).

• • •

Ultimately, the lesson of the 2006 draft is that we should all keep an open mind, and recognize that what you think you know of a draft pick is likely not completely accurate. You can clearly have a snapshot opinion about whether you are happy or unhappy with a draft. But you should recognize it for what it is, a judgment of someone before they have ever had the opportunity to play on the NFL level.

Personally, when my favorite teams pick a player, I try to find out all I can about that player and then wait and see. Seems like the fair and responsible way to go about things. Some people prefer to pass judgment without seeing a guy play and then apologize after the fact if they are wrong.

Ugh, it reminds me of those people who figure they can say and do all sorts of outrageous things as long as they say sorry if they cross the line. You probably all know somebody like that. Only thing worst than that are people who don’t bother to apologize at all.

Any thoughts? The draft is less than one week away. Please feel free to talk about this blog post or just ask any questions you have about the team. We are going to talk are way through this long offseason.

[Yes, the Texans need outside linebacker, but I have a hard time seeing how a smallish linebacker with a history of academic issues is the type of player that the Texans would target, especially when the article is talking top of the draft needs. No telling what Sundquist’s thinking is on that. Ya got me. -Steph]

I personally leave it to the pros (McNair, Smith, Kubiak) to find players to help Texans. I don’t watch enough college football to matter, I may hear something about a player intrigues me…but I have no desire to try and do their job…I trust TEXANS FO

[The internet = the democracy of opinions. Here’s my prediction. I predict the Texans will draft someone at #15 that at least a good part of the fanbase won’t like because everyone except you seems to have some sort of firm opinion on the choice.. And some people will say “you shoulda traded down.” And it will be quite likely that the Texans tried but couldn’t. Usually, the first round is a bit of a surprise for Texan fans so I’m likely wrong on my prediction too. -Steph]

I’ve seen Ashlee Palmer as high as pick 46 for Houston in Sporting News, but never in the first round. I’ve only caught his highlights, and take those with the necessary grain of salt, but he flies to the ball.

As for the supposed failed drug tests, the guys accused are in the clear as far as NFL teams are concerned. More importantly, is there any truth to the rumor that NFLDraftBible is spreading falsehoods on behalf of an AFC East organization? The same one that we finish our regular season slate against?

If you read the Charlie Casserly section with an nasally northeastern accent, the line, “I’m getting choked up…” is awesome! Especially if you leave off “up”…You talked about the internet being a collection of opinions… That’s absolutely correct. It’s funny the ebb and flow of the projected pick at 15. On Chron.com, specifically (which is really the most credible, given that national coverage is pitiful…) the change of opinions is 100% based on what the local pundits say, specifically talk radio plus McClain and LZ, and to a lesser degree, you and a the few other blogs that cover the Texans with depth. It’s all trying to see through the smoke and mirrors of what the front office is doing. It’s interesting, but no one has a better feel than they did two months ago. We don’t even have a handle on the type of D they will run, other than it’s a 4-3. I’m interested to see how it all shakes out. I appreciate the forum that you are providing, though. It makes for a diversion from my own day to day, and is very stimulating.To me, defense IS football. An interception return for a touchdown is the most exciting play in football. It’s electric. I’m ready to see a game, right now. Must be the cold front.

Rest assured if you ask for opinions on draft picks I will offer one. For the record I was fairly quite the first couple of years of Kubiak-Smith era. One reason there was little money to work with. This past year I became much more judgemental. Much like the way many here became regarding Richard Smith.

To the Michael Johnson fan, if you can watch the Georgia and LSU games you will find looking for Michael Johnson much like the game of “Where’s Waldo”. Both games were very disappointing and I went in to both games with Great Expectations for MJ!

[I’m a wait and seer about draft picks. Mostly because I think you need about three years to truly judge a draft, especially when you pick players in positions where development tends to show up slower. The biggest change in draft philosophy from the Casserly-Capers era to the Kubiak drafts is that there is much more imput from assistant coaches in the process. They are looking for great players and great fit. -Steph]

I noticed in your link to a previous fanhouse entry (‘Entire universe apologizes to Mario Williams — that title sounds like something you’d see on The Onion), you made a mention that if Casserly had his way in the draft, tney would have announced Bush as the pick early in the process. You even linked it back to one of John McClain’s blog posts, even though John’s words were not as emphatic as your own.

Flash forward to a few days ago and there was another John McClain blog entry that provides even more clarity (and indicates perhaps you shouldn’t have been quite so emphatic in your statement).

No matter what you think of Casserly, he and Kubiak worked well in their one draft together. Defensive end Mario Williams was signed before the draft. It was Casserly, by the way, who got Kubiak and owner Bob McNair off of running back Reggie Bush and on to Williams.

You are correct that a chunk of the fanbase won’t be happy with the player the Texans draft in the first round. I wasn’t happy with the Mario Williams pick (but that was because I wanted them to trade down and try to get D’Brickshaw Ferguson — not because I wanted them to take any of the guys selected in the top 3). Chances are I’ll be of a similar mind this year. I’d like to see them trade back and pick up another 2nd or 3rd round pick just because I feel like they can get similar value guys 7 to 9 picks back as they would get at number 15. Of course, as you mention, just because they don’t trade back it doesn’t mean they were not trying to.

I think teams really over-value picks too much these days (at least at the front of the draft). They need to start going away from the value chart and not be disappointed that they don’t get equal value according to said chart. Take the Lions. I know they would probably like to get a QB out of this draft, but would they be better served trading out of the number 1 spot even if it mean they couldn’t get either Stafford or Sanchez. If SF was to offer them their number 1 this year (pick 10), a third or fourth round pick this year and then a conditional second round pick next year (perhaps it could escalate to a 1st round pick depending how what percentage of the snaps they QB they take plays), would Detroit be better off? They would save millions of dollars first and foremost, they could get an excellent player in the top 10 (B.J. Raji might still be on the board, or they might have to trade up a spot or two in order to get him — but they would have the extra 3rd/4th round pick to help with that move, plus don’t forget they have another 1st round pick so they could always trade back with that one to get another 3rd round pick). Maybe they would still be able to get a QB (Freeman might be had with that other 1st round pick) or they could just wait until next year when there will be an impressive class of QBs available. I was wrong last year on Matt Ryan (I didn’t think he would be that good that fast) and I could end up being wrong about Stafford and Sanchez. But if I were a GM, I really wouldn’t want to take a QB in the top 10 just because of the cost involved. And there are always guys to be had in the 2nd round and beyond who can be more than serviceable QBs (look around the league, there are plenty of guys playing right now who were not selected in the first round but are quality QBs — Drew Brees, Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Cassel, Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger, David Garrard, Matt Schaub … and I didn’t even mention the guys in New England and Dallas). And given the bust factor of 1st round NFL QBs in the last couple of decades, it just seems the money is more wisely spent elsewhere in most cases.

[A couple of thoughts: First, haha on The Onion headline. McClain’s blog post of the other day doesn’t talk so much about early in the process. Very early, Casserly wanted to sign Bush early and announce him. If you recall, early in the 2006 draft process, there were leaks that Bush was definitely going to be the Texans pick. The Texans powers that be put the brakes on that sort of talk and made sure that the Texans used all their time to evaluate choices. Even bringing VY in for a visit even though his contract combined with Carr’s extension would be ridiculous. Kubiak and Casserly used a very collaborative process in picking draft picks including much more assistant coach imput than in previous years. They learned from each other. Kubiak attributes the Owen Daniels pick to Casserly’s leg work. I think the biggest problem with the 2006 first pick was that the Texans did a poor job of selling the pick. There were many great things about Mario Williams’ college career that just weren’t written about and promoted by the team, which meant that it would be harder for the rest of the world to see what they saw. Casserly has acknowledged in the past that educating your fanbase about your draft and letting them know your needs should be a part of a team’s draft plan: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2007/05/14/charley-casserly-and-mr-spock-separated-at-birth/ As for the trade down talk, quality trade downs are hard to do, especially now that the rookie salaries have become so absurd. You can almost pitch the old draft value chart. But 15 might be a place where teams may want to trade into depending on what happens early in the draft. Thanks for your good comment. -Steph]

I will not argue with you there–I am not stating that he is the best DE coming out this year, I am saying that with right coaching Michael Johnson could become great opposite Mario Williams. It would be fun to watch.

[Seems to me that given the youth of the Texans defense, the Texans would be better off with a less developmental player. Maybe he has success in the league, but perhaps for a team where he doesn’t have to be so much of a immediate contributor. -S]

“I’m a wait and seer about draft picks. Mostly because I think you need about three years to truly judge a draft” Steph

Isn’t that reply a backhanded insult to commenters who actually research THIS years draft. Judging three years after the fact as in ‘Hindsight is 20/20.’

Apologies should be given out to the 2006 offensive linemen who were made a laughing stock by many local bloggers. Same line had their sacks cut in half in 07 with a new QB.

[It is not intended as an insult to those who try to be educated the best they can with public sources about an upcoming draft. I think most experienced NFL types believe that it takes about three years to evaluate a draft class and that instant draft grades are sort of absurd. As for the offensive linemen, I’m not sure what local bloggers you are referring to, but I know I tried to be fair: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2007/04/19/david-carr-or-the-offensive-line-the-chicken-egg-question/ -Steph]

And I say this with all honesty and no disrespect to you but, that is the very reason why I picked Michael Johnson and doubled my belief in drafting him after the Antonio Smith signings. I think that this year the D-Line will be loaded and QB’s will seem more than one Texans line up.

I am all for being positive but truthfully, I fear that this really is Kubiak’s last go ’round–this season is his make or break season. If the Texans had a lot other needs on both sides of the ball I would totally agree with your assessment but with the focus being mostly defense — I am probably wrong but with the past free agent signings, a Michael Johnson on third downs only is worth a second round pick to me.

The small problem I have with all coaches having a vast amount of input is that almost all the coaches see Vince Lombardi or Bill Walsh every time they look in the mirror. Many coaches think they can take the average player and make him an all-pro. And while the scouts have spent a couples of years scouting the players, the coaches get a couple of months.

The #1 priority when drafting a LT is pass protection and taking care of the QB. The Texans, in the 1st RD no less, take a guy who has played LT for 1 year and in that 1 year gave up 8 sacks. He got picked to play LT because the coach in charge of the running game really approved of his run blocking. It should come as no surprise that the kid gave up double digit sacks.

[Didn’t say a “vast amount of input.” As I hear it, Casserly’s point of view pre-Kubiak was no input from position coaches. He didn’t care for their opinion at all. As for last year’s draft, let’s wait to judge more than one year–I think if you take a more developmental guy you are going to have a steeper learning curve. -S]

I understand what your saying. You should know that I am Georgia Tech fan and I was really rooting for Michael to be the Top 10 draft pick he was projected to be last summer. Johnson is truly an amazing physical specimen. After watching 5-6 Ga Tech games this past year, IMO, the saying, Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane, applies to Michael Johnson. I don’t know why and I wish it didn’t appear that way. There were times he looked out of place or just lost in what he was trying to do.

Once again you nailed it!! I have seen reports on the kid praising his burst and his physical apperance yet those are also his weaknesses. OT’s getting underneath his shoulder pads because he fails to utilize his long arms and his burst off of the ball takes him out of the play when defending the run. I understand your point fully!

I have no link for you, only hearsay from a third party who was on an AFC East opponents’ practice squad last year. He is a best friend of my youngest cousin – if that doesn’t prove it nothing will. No, truth be told that’s all we have, and I assume it’s only speculation on an envious group of guys who want to believe the only way they can be beaten is by cheating. Hardly evidence with legs. I just sought to demonstrate how easy it is to get caught up in “group think”, and the dangers that lie behind it.

Unfortunately, I myself have been guilty of the exact same thing a time or two.

Steff, great post! And thanks for the links you place in your work. Nice to know a blogger who understands the basics of how the Internet works as opposed to a RW memo.

And I agree, 99% of the folks that know anything about professional football understand you can’t begin to grade-out a draft until at least three years have passed.

^^^^^^^^^^^

Sometimes I just sit bemused at what some commenters say on the blogs. Most of those I’m thinking about are not at the top of their own profession, but feel completely comfortable proclaiming their mastery of all things professional football.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

My father was a football coach for more than 40 years before he passed away. Seems I always loved sports, especially football, even if I wasn’t great at any, but thanks to him I had a working knowledge on many.

I was born with a black eye and the doctor gave me a small football saying I be dad’s team fullback. I had milk and cookies at Ms. Mary’s table in the mid-1950s and listened intently while her husband, my dad, and other coaches discussed what practice would cover and who needed what to move players from the practice area to Kyle Field.

I did a lot of different things for a living before starting to write and becoming a member of the PFWA in 1983. Suffice it to say, I’ve known a few coaches.

The only ones I’ve known that saw “Vince Lombardi or Bill Walsh every time they look(ed) in the mirror” were Coach Lombardi and Coach Walsh.

A good coach MUST know his limits if he wants to be able to see the limits of others and show them how to take full advantage of their abilities. Good coaches are confident, not over confident, and stay within themselves.

Most of the good-to-great coaches are modest, not presumptuous. Show me a coach who thinks more of himself than he is, and I’ll show you a limited coach that will probably wash out before reaching the high end of his profession. I’ll also show you someone the players can see-through and in the end not play for.

” I think most experienced NFL types believe that it takes about three years to evaluate a draft class ” Steph

I thought this blog was about this years upcoming draft. To have an any opinion on this years draft, I must be an idiot. In three years I will start commenting on this years draft, like those football experts, Casserly & Kubiak, when evaluating the 02 QB draft, in 06.

[Actually, this blog post is more a draft cautionary tale. That it is okay to have an opinion about the draft but to also know what your limitations may be in doing an instant analysis of a draft. If teams with better info than we have access to get it wrong, what are the odds that we get it right? Not just in football but in life, I think the greatest wisdom comes from knowing the things that you don’t know and can’t know. -Steph]

Judging three years after the fact as in ‘Hindsight is 20/20.’ –Posted by: Jack at April 20, 2009 06:45 PMI’m sorry, but that’s an absurd comment.What is the purpose of the draft? So that you can win a bet with your buddies concerning who is selected by whom, and when?To you, maybe, but for the rest of the Universe, it’s to select players to build your team. And that’s most definitely a “forward-looking process.””Hindsight is 20/20?” That’s a truism, not sarcasm. If you choose correctly, in hindsight you’ll see that your pick worked out: you got a player or players that produced for your team, worked in your system, and helped generate WINS.For the great majority of fans, that’s all that really matters. Only fringe-kook types think it’s about guessing who’s going to be picked, on whatever basis.Comments like “Duane Brown was a reach” a year and more after the fact are senseless. Once a player is chosen, that’s the reality you have to work with. And yeah, looking back three years gives clarity to what was only a murky possibility at the time.The FACT is that the Texans’ 2006 draft was the best in the NFL that year. That’s just FACT.It makes people like you upset because you didn’t care about the “rightness” of the Texans’ picks, only that YOU guess correctly about who the pick would be. I see this all the time, and it’s just childish.

[Jack, fool–Do you guys need to take this outside? I think you can pay close attention to, care and question an individual draft without being a “fringe-kook” or “idiot.” Likewise, you try can to have an open mind about those choices and try to figure out what the thinking was behind that choice in more depth than what is typically done pre-draft. And also recognize the limitations of instant analysis, that though there are some players who make an immediate impact, a lot of players take some time to learn the pro game especially at slower to develop positions and depending on how a team uses that player. In other words, I don’t think we are talking an either-or thing. I do think Texan fans should avoid the name calling thingy because it usually causes the level of discourse to devolve into a puddle of rancid goo–no sense in particular trashing our own. It’s okay to have a difference of opinion without being disagreeable–I know there is history between commenters on the Chron blogs but hey why not start a new offseason right? Being cool is good karma. -Steph]

Hmmmmm, Michael Johnson DE out of Georgia seems to be getting bashed pretty good over here, so I think I will chime in.

The knocks on Johnson are absolutely true. He runs very hot and cold. In watching him in several games the REASONs become pretty clear. Kids very raw, his skill level and technique level are very similar to Mario Williams coming out. Johnsons just not the physical specimen that Williams was.

That said, if you draft that kid, he is the second best pass rusher on this team day one. With Antonio Smith and Johnsons stock falling to the mid second round range I would be ecstatic if the Texans were to draft him.

In an ideal scenario he comes in as a situational pass rusher, allowing Smith to bump down and rush from the tackle spot, as he develops.

The argument he is will take to long to develop is a bit short sided in the aspect of the kid can rush the passer which is a need for this team if no one has noticed. He will not have to start, and his potential as a complimentary pass rusher with Williams is pretty good.

I respect the opposite opinions, and in no way am I screaming I’m right and your wrong. Time will tell, and in my opinion I like the kid and in the second round I think he would be very good value and fill a need as an impact role player as a rookie.

Thanks

JLR

[I don’t think this is a right or wrong thing. I think the question came up because there was a misunderstanding about whether the commenter was advocating Johnson with the 15th pick, and I was wondering why he was that high on him. I don’t think people disagree that Johnson has great athleticism, can pass rush and has raw skills. People may disagree with calling players “kid” because I know if Kubiak gets grief for that, the rest of us are certain to. Thanks for stopping by. -Steph]

I think you can pay close attention to, care and question an individual draft without being a “fringe-kook” or “idiot.”Believe it or not, it’s not a personal attack on “Jack.” I’m just tired of hearing this blather about who the Texans (or any team) “should” pick based solely on a personal opinion.Even that wouldn’t be so big a deal, but then you have these same people (whom I do call “kooks”) who will CONTINUE to swear that “Mario was the wrong pick because he didn’t have the stats to be No. 1″ or “Duane Brown was a reach at where he was picked by the Texans, because he didn’t have enough value,” as if all the prognosticating has ANYTHING TO DO with reality after the fact.It’s like saying “well, the oddsmakers had the Patriots winning the last Super Bowl but one, so even though the Giants actually won the game it doesn’t matter because the Patriots had the value…”No one would be that ignorant, but when it comes to the draft, people are so bought into their picks – for whatever reason – that they DO come off sounding foolish.Look at what the guy wrote: “well, looking back on a draft is just 20/20 hindsight.” THAT’S THE POINT!!!You’re picking in the draft based on what you THINK is going to happen. Once it happens, the speculation is over. To continue to be miffed that YOUR guy didn’t get picked, regardless of the fact that YOUR guy was a *bust* and the guy that WAS picked has just gone to the Pro Bowl, is just beyond my ability to comprehend.Believe me, it ain’t just “Jack.” I see it and hear it constantly.

[Okay, let’s say that your comment completely illustrates your point. Do you think that people are more inclined to come around to your point of view if you call people who have their point of view a “fringe-kook?” I get that blogs are a way for people to blow off steam about things that bug them. But they can also be a way to have a reasoned conversation among people about things of mutual interest. That a topic can spin off more interesting discussion. And that if you listen to those who you believe disagree with you, you sometimes find that you have more in common with their position than not. Sometimes people talk past each other or get side tracked by the tone of a post. For example,most people enjoy cake, but they don’t like it smooshed in their face. Delivery counts. Something that I remind myself of daily..-Steph]

With Antonio Smith and Johnsons stock falling to the mid second round range… Posted by: JLR at April 21, 2009 09:01 AMOkay, this is the sort of logic I’m talking about. And it’s “JLR,” so he’s a known quantity. And I agree with him on most things.But look at what he’s saying: “So-and-so’s contribution to the team is based on how their ‘draft stock’ is doing…”I think the use of the “stock” metaphor is a good one. Investment – or I should say “speculation” – in stocks is done based on prediction as to how a stock will perform. It really has nothing to do with the productivity of a company, or market forces, or what-have-you, just the performance of that stock.And the value of the stock is always based on what has just happened. The company declared a dividend, or their annual report was very bullish, etc.Once you’ve bought the stock, held it or whatever, then sold it and realized the profit, you’re done. That transaction is history.But with an NFL player, the “draft stock” is based on what the kid did in college, at the combine, at the pro day, what his college coaches recently said about him, the revelation that he has done drugs, or had a police record, etc.Once you’ve “bought” the player’s stock, though, it’s all irrelevant from that point on. What matters then is “does he contribute to the team?” “How does he respond to coaching?” “How quickly does he develop?” “Does he ever reach the potential that the coaches thought he could?”Once that happens, all the “stock picking” is moot. The argument’s dead as a doornail.You pick the players based on whatever information – some of which begins to look a little “iffy” as a real predictor – and from then on, the deal’s done. It’s time for the rubber to meet the road.If you want to say “such-and-such player didn’t have the VALUE based on the usual predictors, and as we now see, he really was a bust,” then fine. But what happens too often is we get the “predictors” mixed up with the reality going forward. As if a guy whose stock “dropped” suddenly can’t figure out how to read a playbook, and “everyone knew” he’d be a bust.The FACT is that a lot of guys who’re well thought-of, implode when they actually put on the NFL uniform. And a lot of guys who weren’t even on anyone’s radar become superstars. Tom Brady is now on the short list of greatest NFL QBs, all time. Where was his “stock” when he was drafted, and what the **** does it even matter now, anyhow?Lots of people thought the Titans’ current third-string QB was the wave of the future, destined to “redefine the very nature of the NFL QB position.” We all see how that turned out.”Draft stock” has meaning ONLY in the context of the future. It is as worthless as Confederate money after the drafting is over.

[People care where players get drafted because of the money and opportunity costs involved. A player who might be considered solid as a third round pick can be seen as a disappointment as a first round pick due to the quantity of salary they are receiving relative to their performance and noting what other players could have been chosen instead of them. In a salary cap league, teams have to look at the risk of various players and figure out what there value is. And if teams are looking into this, it is something that fans are interested in as well. Value can be over-regarded too–for example, Charley Casserly once picked a left handed quarterback as a backup because he considered him good value in the round he was picked. Argh. -Steph]

Do you think that people are more inclined to come around to your point of view if you call people who have their point of view a “fringe-kook?” –Posted by: fool at April 21, 2009 09:25 AMFirst of all, I’m called much worse than that here on the ChronBlogs. I don’t take it personally.Second, I don’t expect these folks to change their opinions at all. Do you really think that “Houston Titan” or “BigDaddy Titan” have changed their opinion about the 2006 draft?

[Hmmm. Actually, I’ve been able to persuade some Titan fans to my point of view on things in the past, or at least get them to consider my point of view. Generally, I feel bad for Titan fans because they have Bud as their owner and I know what that can be like. The whole VY discussion is so 2006, dude is likely going to be cut in by the Titans in 2010 so there’s no sense piling on the VY-manlove peoples: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-44/Vince-Young-s-cap-implications.html And who knows, maybe there is a place in the league for him if he matures and develops? Nothing in the NFL surprises me. -Steph]

I love the “kid” thing, when I was 16 watching film with the coaches I would call guys kids. Mostly because you dont know their names with out digging in your scouting report.

Habit, I guess.

I have an late 1-2 grade on Johnson. I feel that at 15 it would be a reach pick (and have felt that all along), but he is the best 4-3 DE pass rusher in my opinion. They reached on a kid that had a very similar grade to Johnson last year in Duane Brown so its not unheard of to reach for players at a need postition (though not always the best course of action). When I first brought up Johnson in my first mock draft, we still had Anthony Weaver on the team and I thought we could work him in there. The signing of Smith (who is very similar to Weaver) allows the Texans the flexibility to add the “kid” and work him in.

Last year the Texans were desperate for a LT, they should be desperate for a pass rusher this one.

That said, I had them drafting a corner in the mock draft I did for an ESPN radio station. LOL

Thanks

JLR

[Value is ephemeral and every team has its own draft boards with things it values differently. They were desperate for a pass rusher last year but didn’t reach for one. This year a lot of the best pass rushers are tweeners guys so saying someone is the best 4-3 pass rusher is damning with faint praise, and I don’t see them reaching for a DE especially with how much is already invested on the line. Some argue Duane Brown was a reach but that he likely would have been chosen with the next pick, maybe not so much. http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080428-9999-1s28chargers.html If we are talking just need, the Texans had a much greater need for a LT in 2008 than the Texans do for DE in 2009 because 1. Ephraim was old; 2. Smart but with turnstile tendencies; 3. You want to develop a LT as long as you can before Gibbs decides to retire for good. I could see them taking a DE at the bottom of the first but not at 15, and even then, if we are talking need, I think OLB is a bigger one. -Steph]

I raise my hand and I apologize for doing so. I called Michael Johnson “kid” and did so without malicious intent.

JLR, I have not jumped ship, I have mentioned that a second round pick for Michael Johnson would be good for the Texans on your blog pages and here. I say one thing and go down in flames with it unless I pick up on a different pattern being utilized that sways me with proof(the usage of RB’s by teams and their shelf life).

Larry House has a better take on Michael Johnson than I do and I cannot argue with him because there are internet reports proving his opinions, yet I still say that if the Texans are looking for a pas rusher to line up on the opposite side of Mario Williams, especially after signing Antonio Smith and heavily investing in the DT position; why not spend a second round pick on a Michael Johnson–that seems to be all that he does well anyways.

Sorry for carring on and all.

[Don’t feel the need to apologize. I just thought it was curious that fans were calling NFL players kids. As for “internet report,” I would suggest checking them out as a shorthand but that you keep an open mind. If you talk to players going through the draft process or after the process, one thing they will mention a lot is how much misinformation is in a lot of those reports. If you look at a lot of draft reports on players in retrospect, they are hil-ar-ious. It’s just humans trying the best they can with the information they have to find good and bad points to say about players trying to cover their bases. Thanks for coming by. -Steph]

People care where players get drafted because of the money and opportunity costs involved.If by “people” you’re talking about the player, his agent, his mother, the team owner and the team’s comptroller, then yeah. I seriously doubt, though, that anyone else really cares.A player who might be considered solid as a third round pick can be seen as a disappointment as a first round pick due to the quantity of salary they are receiving relative to their performance and noting what other players could have been chosen instead of them.But again, that’s moot once the deal’s done. Do you think that Demeco Ryans would have been a “disappointment” had he been picked first overall in 2006? I suspect the answer is “no,” because Demeco’s been a solid player. A. J. Hawk was drafted fifth overall, and came in THIRD PLACE in the DRoY balloting – in which Demeco placed FIRST.So at the time, though everyone would have been “astonished” that Demeco would be drafted in the first round, that was then – and this is now.In a salary cap league, teams have to look at the risk of various players and figure out what there value is. -Steph]And that’s because no one has a crystal ball that isn’t cracked and distorted. You make your selection FOR THE FUTURE based on what you know NOW. But when you look back – in “twenty/twenty hindsight,” as “Jack” sneeringly said – you discover whether your choice was correct. All the means and methods you used to arrive at the choice are now meaningless, given that what was then the “future,” is now “history.”My ultimate point is that you can’t judge a PAST draft in the same way you try to PREDICT a PRESENT draft. Two totally different things, yet some people don’t get it. Hence, the bellyaching you STILL hear, about “Mario not being a good No. 1 overall,” or “Duane Brown being a reach at that spot,” etc. It’s a preposterous argument. You picked RIGHT, or you picked WRONG, period. You can argue that someone “should have known,” etc., but even that’s moot. It is what it is.I’ll use an example of someone that I think has more draft knowledge than anyone else here: Lance Zierlein.Lance really, really wanted Reggie Bush in 2006. He said that, when he heard through the grapevine the Texans were going to take Mario Williams, it was like a slug in the gut. When the pick was formally announced he was, to put it mildly, “quite disappointed.”But three seasons on, he says “I was wrong, the Texans were right.” There, see? It’s easy! Was his analysis of Bush WRONG? No. But was the analysis borne out by events? Also, no.But one of the “fringe-kook” types I refer to, whether that term is advisable or no, would STILL insist the Texans’ pick was a bad one because “Williams just didn’t have the tangibles,” etc. What they REALLY mean is, “I’m still sore because I predicted who the Texans SHOULD have picked, and they went a different direction.”At the time, it was SOMEWHAT understandable (though some of the vitriol was ridiculous). But after three seasons, and steady improvement every year for Mario (and lackluster performances by both Bush and that other guy), all such arguments are pointless, and even a bit idiotic.Case closed.

[Value matters. Not all players are going to be Defensive Rookie of the Year like Ryans. I care how the Texans spend salary not because it comes out of my pocket, but because if your team chooses wrongly in the draft, the salary cap can handcuff you team with bad contracts. Mario Williams is a GREAT illustration of value. Quality defensive end is an expensive position to get in free agency and they last for many years. Defensive end is considered a more difficult position to fill than running back. For the Texans in 2006 in particular coming off of a worst in the league defensive season, a quality defensive end with great college stats and NFL measurables has more projected NFL value than a running back who wasn’t known for running between the tackles. You could know that prospectively and not just retrospectively. Also you could make the argument that taking a third pick unorthodox QB may not be good value. -Steph]

Do you think this is Kubiak’s last year if the Texans do not win (make the playoffs)? I’ve seen previous posts to your blog, as well as other blogs, stating this should be his last year. Not to mention the comments on the local sports talk shows in the past.

Sure he’s made some bonehead decisions/mistakes, but what coach hasn’t (this is his first head coaching job and he appears to be learning from his mistakes). Can you blame him for the injuries the Texans suffer each year. Schaub would have played the whole season (possibly) if it were not for questionable hits he received.

I just feel like we’re on the verge of something really big with the Texans and whether it’s this year or next, I don’t think changing coaches is the answer.

[I’ve never suggested in this blog that this should be his last year. I think the Kubiak is in the hotseat talk is garbage and nonsense. This is what I know: 1. Bob McNair is a patient owner; 2. Bob McNair likes Kubiak and the progress that he has made with the team; 3. The hottest name coaches will not likely be thinking that the Texans job is one that they need to get, even if a bidding war for salaries goes on; 4. Do you really want a coaching-direction change with the upcoming labor issues?; 5. Bob McNair is a sensible guy and knows that a lot of things can happen that can prevent you from having a playoff season. Overall, I think barring a catastrophic collapse of the team, I don’t see that Kubiak is on the hotseat at all. McNair has said he is impatient for the Texans to make the playoffs but I think that is the belief of everyone with the Texans, including Kubiak. -Steph]

I just thought it was curious that fans were calling NFL players kids. –Posted by: lynnmicha at April 21, 2009 10:20 AMI have a son who’s 31, a daughter 29, and another daughter 27. If they were NFL players, my “KIDS” would be veterans.So, yeah. NFL players are “kids” to me.

“Tom Brady is now on the short list of greatest NFL QBs, all time. Where was his “stock” when he was drafted, and what the **** does it even matter now, anyhow?”~Fool

I think is a lesson on the difference between prospects who are smart and accurate, and prospects that have the big time arm. One of the reasons I have Stafford below Sanchez in my evaluations. One of the reasons I like nobody Chase Holbrook out of New Mexico State, who may not even be drafted.

Your overall point is valid, no one knows for sure and its an imperfect system etc….etc. I also get you get tired of hearing the draft value and so on, but it has to be more than obvious that the majority of the people on these blogs do.

I enjoy reviewing players and educating myself on them. Setting them up in an order and assigning a value to them it part of the process. I will be wrong on players from time to time, so are the Texans.

Last year before the season I wrote a preview on the teams in the AFC South. In it I wrote two “speculatory” things. Gregg Williams as DC would be a bad fit for the Jacksonville defense, and that the Titans hireling Mike Heimerdinger as an OC would be a bad for VY.

Greg Williams was fired from Jacksonville after one year, VY was in the dog house pretty damn fast, and out of a job soon after. Its ok to speculate about the bad time VY will have, just not about draft picks (nobody was cutting and pasting my comments on that one).

No where did I say or even infer “contribution to the team is based on how their ‘draft stock’ is doing”.

Instead what I was saying is, this “kid” can contribute, and his value has him most likely available in the a range where the Texans could draft him.

Anyway….thanks for throwing me under the bus…LOL.

Totally pissed you didn’t reply to my partridge in a pair tree response.

Lance really, really wanted Reggie Bush in 2006. He said that, when he heard through the grapevine the Texans were going to take Mario Williams, it was like a slug in the gut. When the pick was formally announced he was, to put it mildly, “quite disappointed.”~Fool

There was a JLR guy that was pretty upset when the Texans were passing on Bush. I was on vacation at sea world when the ESPN broke the story and I had more than a few expletives fly out of my pie hole.

BTW….a bit of revisonist history. Mario Williams was viewed as a major project, and boy was he. The first preseason game we went to the guys was getting pancaked in pass blocking against a guy that had been out of the leauge the year before.

Reggie went off to play in New Orleans in a power run blocking scheme he never was a fit for. To get him the ball they turned him into a Dave Meggett. Bush reminds me of another back, Clinton Portis, remeber how bad he fell off went he was moved from Denver to Washington in Gibbs power scheme? Not to long after Gibbs started running some zone and Portis was effective again. Bush is that same kind of back, if he were to ever get in a zone system I think he could be a good running back, and yea I know all about he dances and that BS, I think it would take that guy 5 minutes to adjust to this system. My mouth was watering over Bush in the Kubiack/Denver running scheme.

Mario came on much quicker than anyone (even the Texans) thought. By game 8 of his rookie year he was starting to really flash at times, then he got hurt.

Thanks

JLR

[There were a good number of teams that valued Mario Williams #1 on their draft boards, including Parcells when he was with the Cowboys. I don’t think Williams’ performance surprised the Texans at all–they had him projected higher than Julius Peppers. His early struggles came from trying to get him to do too much, too soon and due to injury. He had some technique issues, but still had enormous college production. He wasn’t just a combine wonder or physical freak. Just because ESPN wasn’t pimping him 24-7 didn’t mean that the NFL didn’t recognize his value or that others couldn’t recognize it prior to him playing a single down. From a prospective and not just retrospective view, here’s a blast from the FanBlog archives back when I wrote it (with apologies for the deadlinks): http://blogs.chron.com/fanblogtexans/2006/06/the_ultimate_mario_williams_co_1.html and http://blogs.chron.com/fanblogtexans/2006/06/mario_williams_compendium_part_1.html. For me, I like to keep an open mind and try to figure out why a particular team liked a particular player because I know that the access I have to information is much more limited than the teams, and even then the teams get it wrong a lot. And then I wait and see what happens on the field, because the rest is just hype. -Steph]

Duane Brown was a reach, because he was the last guy there still made him a reach. If San Diego would have drafted him with the next pick, then maybe their sack total would have gone up 10 sacks over the year before by adding a “round one tackle” with a mid-round two grade.

Instead ours did, and he wasnt much better in the run game either. Boy, he was TERRIBLE on the backside as a run blocker.

No offense, I kind wish the guy did play in San Diego, I was kind of hoping we could get a pass rusher that could get us oh I dont know 1 sack opposite Mario. LOL

Anyway…..Im back off to my blog…..I’ll leave you guys alone now!

JLR

[So you think it is best to evaluate a rookie after one season? This blog isn’t long enough to list all the Pro Bowl players then who would then be considered busts. What I think will be interesting about watching Brown this year is whether conditioning will make a big difference. When he came to the Texans last year, he was at a weight that would have been good for some teams he could have been drafted to, but not good for the Texans. He had to cut weight quickly, which as you know can affect strength and stamina. This year, he is coming into the offseason about where he needs to be. He talks about this some here: http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=5222 Brown came into a not easy situation last year–three new guys on the line, really difficult early schedule. A test for any left tackle, much less a rookie, no matter where they were drafted. I’m truly interested to see his progress going into his second year with more time with Gibbs. Apparently, the Texans see something good because they got rid of the Ephraim training wheels. Thanks for stopping by. -Steph]

I think you have to look @ both the draft and free agency signings as part of an overall process to improve the team. It doesn’t matter where you get the players, it matters what they do on your team (and maybe what you pay for them).

What Texans have done in free agency in 2009 is to sign experienced defensive guys who were probably better than the guys who played last year. So they have upgraded the defense with depth.

What they haven’t done is to upgrade the defense with a high level of quality – an Albert Haynesworth, etc. A top NFL defense has one or two top quality players and substantial depth. Maybe Texans think they have done the latter, and intend to do the former in the draft.

Maybe the plan is to trade UP for a top quality defensive player – such as Curry from Wake Forest who is the equivalent at the same time in their careers of Mario Williams. He is the only defensive player which Mike Lombardi rates as being capable of being drafted in the top 10 picks. And he is what they most need – a linebacker who can rush the passer.

So I think the plan is to call everyone above them starting with MCI at the third pick, and be willing to almost deal the farm to get the chance to draft Curry. If you can’t do that. Trade down.

Pure and simple, if we can get Jenkins in the first, MJ in second, whatever linebacker they want in the 3rd, and RB and OL in the 4th, I would consider that a possibly great draft. Not to offend fool’s delicate sensibilities, but getting MJ in the 2nd would represent great draft value, and we will look back in hindsight in 2011 and see that our vision was indeed 20/20. The only key for this draft i believe is to get at least 2 players that can contribute immediately in some fashion on the defensive end. 3 would be ideal, but would be a tall order. Then you get quality depth at RB and OL. The draft is fun because in essence you get to rehash both the previous college and NFL season, and you get a general idea of what your team will have going into camp. An extra special bonus of watching the draft? Inevitably there seems to be a Longhorn that falls every year, and the Texans pass on him, and all my Horn friends throw temper tantrums. They scream Aggie conspiracy, and I tell them it is normally just good football to not draft Longhorns. And this year I likely get the added bonus of having a fellow Baylor alum drafted before any Horns. Now if I could only get Orakpo falling to 15 and then we trade the pick. That would be sweeeet….talk about a meltdown.

[I must admit to rooting for Adrian Peterson to go with the 7th pick instead of the 8th pick the Texans had already flip flopped to the 10th. Some drafts have less howling and furious outrage, and I was done with the mother of all that with the 2006 draft. -Steph]

“So you think it is best to evaluate a rookie after one season?”~Steph

Ummm no and I said that where? I had two years of looking at him before he even got drafted, now I have a year of him with the Texans. He could still develop into a quality LT, and there were times where he flashed, but dont put words in my mouth (in print). lol

“He had to cut weight quickly, which as you know can affect strength and stamina.”~Steph

That wasnt his problem either, his problem was he was a crappy pass blocker coming out of college for those of us that watched him. Still raw, but crappy none the less.

Cutting weight will help you with your strength and stamina, being out of shape doesnt if far more a problem. Its not like he was a fighter that cut to much water weight the night before a fight.

“three new guys on the line, really difficult early schedule”~Steph

And whom was the worst of the three? Myers and Brisel could at least run block and get to thier assignments DB was a whiffer, Id rather a guy get beat then not make it to the fight.

“There were a good number of teams that valued Mario Williams #1 on their draft boards, including Parcells when he was with the Cowboys.”~Steph

Well, yea….the Texans were 2-14, just added a new QB and had needs EVERYWHERE. Since need is a factor in the value equasion, some teams didnt need a back, or even a mobile sidearm QB as much as others. Its easy to sit back and cherry pick but I dont remember very many people squaking before the 07 season that Reggie was a glorified receiver. No because that would have taken an actual eval.

My point was yes, R.B. has not lived up to expectation and M.W. has, no one is happier about that than me! That said, if Mario had been drafted by a 3-4 team, and was playing the 5, he’d have no where near that sacks totals he does now, and if Reggie Bush had gone to a zone team he might have very well made a decent running back in it. Thats what makes this so fun!

Thanks for debate! Its nice to just be a poster every once in a while again.

JLR

[I’m not putting words in your mouth. He has played one year in the NFL, and based on that you say he was poor value. I think the Texans knew of his very very raw ability in college–Gibbs has worked with a number of converted tight ends in the past. Of course his technique was raw because he didn’t start playing tackle until a couple of weeks before facing Mario Williams in a game in college. That’s being a gamer. They love his athleticism and believe they can coach him up with Gibbs. You can slag on him for being out of shape, but he had to position himself in the draft for those teams who wanted heavier tackles. Ultimately, I give better benefit of the doubt in evaluating him to coaches who targeted him in the draft versus fans who watched as many Virginia Tech games as they could and slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night. I prefer to wait and see with young players a bit–I think it would have been unrealistic for any rookie to excel given the set of circumstances at the beginning of the last Texans season. As for Reggie, I’m not sure what you are talking about. There were tons of fans who were concerned his game wouldn’t translate well to the between the tackles NFL, and specifically to a Texans team that didn’t want their backs to dance around. Lots of concern about his non-running back looking lower body. It was on Houston sports talk radio, it was on message boards, it was everywhere, not to mention the value issues with running backs relative to other positions on the field. Back before that draft, I didn’t write for a blog but I did moderate what was at the time the official Texans message board. A month before the draft I preferred Mario over Bush. http://www.texanstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=296496&highlight=bush#post296496 That wasn’t a popular position for casual observers of the team, but it was a completely rational value pick for a team who was getting an offensive minded systems coach and who inherited aging defense with Dunta Robinson and no other playmakers. But at the same time, I could be open to other picks in the draft because I never pretend that I have better information than what is available to teams. Left tackles have value, all teams are looking for them or trying to keep them healthy. Taking DB after a trade down and with the Chargers poised to take him next isn’t a crazy value pick, no matter how “crappy” you believe his play is and how much you discounted his athletic ability in college. But agreed on the point that you never know what the alternative history of any player in the draft might have been. Thanks for stopping by. -Steph]

I understand your point with your response to my response but I though that I was doing just what you have mentioned–keeping a open mind on Michael Johnson because I want to take him in the second round and line him up opposite Mario Williams and want Kollar to stay on his butt if he even thinks of taking a play off.

Those internet reports are quick evals. on him and other prospects from a 2009 NFL draft pick web site that I have visited(I think that is the name of it’s site). I take all evals. on college prospect with a grain of salt, margarita back(all in fun)…because I cannot afford to follow every college football team in the nation.

“fool”–we have had our “back and forth’s” and I do not mind you copy and pasting my quotes to debunk me or make your points, but make sure that I said what you are pasting before you post it–Ms. Stradley was responding to me; that is what she quoted. I say this only because I want to believe that every blog visitor reads the comments before posting a blog but that is not always the case…and it can get crazy real fast over some opinion taken out of content. I ask in kindness only; Ms. Stradley and other Chron.com staff and guest blogger’s deserve that respect.

All-right already! This must be draft week. Conversations are heating up. I was ready to jump in and then all of a sudden someone went and used the word ephemeral…

Regarding Brown being a reach. I think you can say it was a reach for the Texans at #26 because they targeting a starting LT. It wasn’t a reach for San Diego @ #27 because all they were looking for was depth. They weren’t expecting Brown to replace the pro bowler Marcus McNeil at LT. Brown deserves another year to prove his worth. If he gives up double digit sacks again, you can’t blame Brown. Brown showed everyone what he was capable of on the fields of Va Tech. Including he was not very capable at pass blocking. Blame the running game coach who like Brown’s run blocking so much he had to have him as a pass blocking LT.

I think it is unfair and inaccurate to say Michael Johnson’s skill level is the same as Mario’s coming out of college. You could make a case for physical measurables:

MJ: 6067, 266, 4.69, 28 reps, 38.5 vert, 10’8″ BJ

MW: 6070, 295, 4.70, 35 reps, 40.5 vert, 10’0″ BJ

but when it comes to on field production there is no comparison. MJ is not even on the same football field with MW.

MJ had 28 TFL and 17 sacks in 4 years

MW had 55.5 TFL and 26.5 sacks in 3 years.

MJ SR year: 17.5 TFL and 9 sacks

MW JR year: 27.5 TFL and 14.5 sacks

Mario’s numbers are a reason why several teams had Mario #1 on their boards.

[Totally agree with the point on Mario. Don’t quite understand the point that Brown is good value as a guy on the bench but bad value one pick earlier for a guy who is starting. It’s not like the Texans had great alternatives. Already short draft picks, trading up wasn’t a good option and the trade down got the athletic player they thought would suit their system plus more picks. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. -Steph]

You referred to your link as proof you had concerns about Reggie Bush not being able to run between the tackles, but what it says is you would basically be fine with whom ever. You like Mario a bit more, as usual no explanation.

I listen to the NFL network a ton, I did not hear one scout or GM, and Im not talking about draft guru’s last off season mention Duane Brown as a round one prospect. Of the guys I pay attention to the most locally Lance, and John Harris, they didnt think Brown was a first rounder. To take it further Harris said something to the effect of “my god I hope the Texans dont reach for Duane Brown here” seconds before the pick. John Harris thought it was a reach, Lance thought it was a reach, JLR said something to the effect of he thought he was very athletic but that he thought he had some pass blocking issues. Larry makes a good point about San Diego drafting him for depth so it wasnt such a reach.

JLR had said his technique was raw coming out of college, similar to what he sees in Johnson. I think thats a valid statement, he didnt say Johnson was a top 3 pick. If memory serves, Mario got his butt handed to him pretty good his first few games. JLR says he started to improve by mid season or so but I cant really confirm or deny. I think Mario gets a bad wrap from most the fans but to me he was a non factor in the 6-10 season what ever the reasons.

I happen to agree with JLR, even if the arguments made against the points he made are a bit out of context. The guy puts a ton of work into the Fan Blog, and I guess I took offense to the Holiday Inn crack, coming from a person who hotlinks most of her articles and topics straight from the Texans website so I get to see it all twice. I posted on your newest link today about how you were doing a draft show with Craig Roberts, which I find pretty funny (Im going to DVR it). You give little to no insight on players, and he is the master of the obvious. I guess you will be sleeping in that Holiday Inn Express too before the show since your ready to be a pretend expert on the Texans draft now.

[Actually, the link was just to show that prior to the draft, I had a preference of Mario over Bush. If you care to, you can spend a little time googling the old draft reports and you’ll find plenty of concerns about the ability of Bush’s game translating to the NFL, mostly because of how his and White’s carries were handled at USC. Yeah, I know about the concerns with Brown, but I think the Mario Williams situation is an example that you can’t rely on media draft experts of any sort to say who is best at #1. John Harris freaked out when the Duane Brown pick was made. And tons of people freaked out when the Mario Williams pick was made. People will freak out each year–some players hit and some don’t for various reasons. I don’t mean any offense to the Holiday Inn Express remark nor do I mean any offense to all the work that JLR does on his blog. I was sharing my opinion about opinions he made over here. As for my appearance on the TV show, I never made any claim for being an expert on the Texans draft. In general, I have a distrust for anyone who claims to be an expert on anything, especially with things that the best people in the field often get wrong. I was asked to be on a show, and answered whatever questions I was asked, questions I didn’t see in advance. I warned folks in advance I wasn’t likely going to say anything much. TV time is short, and you don’t get much time to say much. As for passing along links and commenting on them, some dig that and some don’t. That’s not all I do, but everybody has their own tastes and familiarity about what links are out there in the world at large. I am done with the 2006 draft stuff because I blogged that year and nothing can be said on that subject that hasn’t already been deadhorsed. Sorry if that comes across as short to you. Peace. -Steph]